BR: Luis is a master marksman

Brendan Rodgers hailed Luis Suarez as a master of his trade after the Uruguayan bagged two more goals to inspire the Reds' 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at Anfield on Saturday.

The striker found the back of the net twice in 10 minutes in the second half against the Latics - increasing his tally for the season to 13 in 17 appearances and establishing himself as the leading scorer in the Barclays Premier League.

While the boss was keen to emphasise the collective team spirit which aided the win, Rodgers was delighted by the contribution of his No.7.

"I think there are superlatives for the team today. I thought the team was outstanding, in particular second half," the Northern Irishman said in his post-match press conference.

"Luis took his goals very well, his movement again was outstanding, but today was very much about the team. The ethos and the spirit of the team, the pressure that we applied as a team, was very strong. Today was a result for everyone and I was delighted with that performance.

"We're very much a team - Luis is a very big part of that and you see his goals today. His first goal was a wonderful finish, great weight of pass by young Raheem and he finished it great.

"The second one was a lovely pass from Jose Enrique and a nice little off-the-shoulder run and finish.

"He's a master marksman, absolutely outstanding and obviously we're thrilled to have him. But the ethos is very much on the team and I thought the team was excellent today."

Three goals in 18 second-half minutes put paid to any resistance from the visiting side following a goalless opening period, and the manager felt the result was thoroughly deserved for the team's hard work.

"We've created chances and haven't been so clinical but you have seen the confidence once we did get the first goal, in particular so early in the second half. The method then in our game was very good.

"I was delighted with our pressure on the ball, it was much more educated in terms of the right times and that led to the first goal. Overall, I thought we passed the ball well - in particular in the second half.

"Wigan are a dangerous team, they've got some very good players. They've already gone to Tottenham this year and had an excellent result.

"So we knew it was going to be a tough game, but I'm delighted and thrilled for the players because they give me so much every single day and that's their reward for the hard work. It's important a clean sheet as well."

Rodgers dismissed suggestions that the Reds are over-reliant on their in-form striker, explaining that work behind the scenes is being done to enhance Suarez's effect even further.

"Of course we would want other support around that but you can see he thrives on it," he said. "Look at his scoring return this year already. He's enjoying playing in a system, enjoying that freedom of being that loose striker.

"What we're working on, on the training field and in getting certain profiles of players in, is to then try to get into the spaces that he leaves.

"That's something that's going to come and that's the excitement of this group - they're improving all the time and Luis is the pinnacle up there and getting the goals. It's fantastic."

Also on the scoresheet against Wigan was Jose Enrique, who thrived in an advanced position supporting Suarez and Raheem Sterling - a role Rodgers believes the Spaniard has the right attributes to excel in.

The 39-year-old added: "He's a terrific talent. Look at Gareth Bale - he played a lot at left-back and then pushed forward one and it really suited his strengths. Jose is someone I think can do that role with his power and his pace.

"We said to him yesterday that he and Raheem can get goals if they get inside the frame of the goal. When the ball is wide or Luis is doing his bit of magic on the line, there will be goals there for them.

"He made up a lot of ground to get in, anticipated it and got his finish. It's great commitment by him and hopefully it continues."